Chocolate Layer Cake

By draingal

Per serving: Cal. 486; Pro. 7g; Carb. 68g; Fat 23g; Chol. 62mg; Sod. 296mg.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 2/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder, divided
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 4 tsp vanilla extract, divided
• 1 tsp grated orange peel
• 1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 box (1 lb) confectioners' sugar
• 5-7 tbsp heavy cream.

Details

Servings 16
Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 60mins

Preparation

Step 1

Place 2 bricks on grill; heat grill to medium for indirect heat or heat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, ⅔ cup cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
Stir in buttermilk, oil, eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract and orange peel until well-blended.
Pour into greased and floured 9" springform pan.
Place pan on bricks or in oven. Cook in covered grill, or bake 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.
Completely cool in pan on wire rack.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl with an electric mixer on high, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Beat in the confectioners' sugar, the remaining 1 cup of cocoa powder and the remaining 2 tsp vanilla extract.
Beat in the cream, 1 tbsp at a time, until easy to spread.
Remove cake from pan and slice horizontally into three equal layers. Frost each layer, the top and sides of cake.